On Ventura Rodríguez street number 17, very close to Plaza España and the Temple of Debod, we meet the Palace of the Marquises of Cerralbo. It houses a surprising museum, the Cerralbo Museum, the collection created by Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, 17th Marquis of Cerralbo. From the beginning, the Marquis conceived the idea that what was his home would also be a place for the enjoyment of his visitors.

The Palace was built between 1883 and 1893, it has three facades corresponding to the streets of Ferraz, Ventura Rodríguez and Álvarez Mendizábal, at the confluence of the latter there is a small temple-like building crowned by a viewpoint or belvedere, one of the most characteristic elements of the construction.

The Marquis had planned to settle in the house with his family and, in addition, he wanted to arrange in the different rooms, all the works of art and antiques that he had been collecting together with his wife, the marchioness during the trips they had made to throughout his life in Spain and Europe. The architects were Alejandro Sureda, Luis Cabello and Asó, and Luis Cabello Lapiedra, Cerralbo himself dictated the architectural guidelines of the building with an interior layout similar to that of the art galleries in Italy that he had admired so much on his travels.
The façade of the palace follows the classicist line of the time, as well as historical eclecticism.

At the time of construction, this area of ​​Madrid, the modern Argüelles neighborhood, was an exclusive place where the expansion of the city towards Moncloa took place in the mid-19th century.

The Museum has a magnificent collection that, including ancient numismatic, bibliographic and documentary collections, exceeds 50.000 pieces. At the time, it was considered the most complete private art collection in the country.

Paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, tapestries, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, prints, watches, weapons, armor and archaeological objects, create a very special atmosphere, the palace is also a brilliant example of an aristocratic residence, which suggests what daily life must be like in Madrid, of families with potentials, with their literary gatherings, dances, drawing-room confidences...

A highly recommended visit and one that curiously many of our visitors do not know about. They have also just completed some restoration work and the building looks splendid. Do not miss it.

A abrazo.